NHTSA — Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist System Problems

5.9

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Mercury Cougar steering problems

steering problem

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1999 Mercury Cougar Owner Comments

problem #7

Sep 192001

Cougar 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car is a lemon. Have had a new engine put in it 2 times because the rods spun. I have had the brake lights "fixed" 3 times, the alternator replaced 3 times, new catalytic converters twice. New power steering. Transmission done 3 times. Theres definantly more I just cant think of alllllll my repairs on this 1999 Cougar. I bought it used and it has now 98000 miles cause I drive out of state.

- Elk Grove , CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 012000

Cougar

  • miles
While still under warranty, power steering would fail after driving through any water, even very small puddles. Would hear screeching noise, power steering failed for 20 second or so, nearly crashed several times. Local dealer could not find a problem when I took in for repair. Recently, warranty expired, experienced complete failure of power steering. Power steering gear replaced for $1000. Still lost power steering in puddles after repair. Needs splash guard similar to Mercury Mystique, see Mercury tsb 97-11-2 tech service bulletin. Severe safety hazzard! should be recalled!!

- Danbury, CT, USA

problem #5

Mar 011999

Cougar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
On wet road conditions power steering will lock up intermittently. Vehicle was taken to dealership, it was determined this was normal operating procedure for this vehicle.

- Ladoga, IN, USA

problem #4

Mar 252001

Cougar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Whenever you hit a puddle sometimes the water hits something under the car while driving the battery light comes on and the power steering goes away, I could not steer the car I had to slow down fast before hitting the curb, 4 or 5 min later the light went off and everything was fine. This has also happend on a car wash.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #3

Sep 152000

Cougar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experiencing a momentary loss of steering when driving over a water puddle, and intermittently causing malfunction to instrument panel lights. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and unable to locate cause. Both side mirrors fell off. The cd and the radio are not operational. The radiator hose broke after 2 months of purchasing the vehicle. The back window wiper failed. The sun roof failed. This vehicle had numerous mechanical problems.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #2

Sep 162000

Cougar

  • miles
Power steering fails when driving in the rain and puddle is driven through, causing loss of control of vehicle. Battery alert lights on dashboard.this defect first surfaced in June of 1999, and was called a "serpentine belt" failure and repaired. The problem has now returned and causes a serious loss of control of auto.

- Deerfield Beach, FL, USA

problem #1

Jun 012000

Cougar

  • miles
In rain, if you hit a puddle water splashes, hits the battery, & the power steering dies. Dealer says must wait for manufacturer to send recall notice. Has happened many times, almost caused accident twice!

- Converse, TX, USA

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